An assessment of the implementation of alternative basic education program in east Gojjam

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2007-06

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Addis Ababa Universty

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of ABE program in East Gojjam Zone, mainly to identifY the achievements and constraints of the program towards UPĀ£. The method employed ill the study was a descriptive survey. Review of available literature on ABE program and relevant quantitative data were gathered from 17 educational officials 29 ABE center facilitators, 446 students 10 primary school principals and teachers, 20 CMC members and parents and one NGO coordinator. Respondents were selected by purposive and random sampling techniques. Data obtained from questionnaire were analyzed using statistical tools like percentage, average mean and independent sample t-test . . The data from interview, focus group discussion and observation was analyzed qualitatively. The findings from data analysis showed that the program is challenged by many constraints: Absence of facilities, unavailability of learning materials, low perception of the program by the community and low attention to the program in providing supervision and support, assignment of untrained facilitators, low competence of students in developing minimum learning skills, overloaded content and difficult curriculum, high drop out rate. These problems undermined the quality of education The ABE program has its potential in addressing gender and socio-economic issues. This was evidenced by the increased number of enrollments and the extent to which the poor children are given the opportunity to learn with flexible schedule. The basic principles of ABE is to reach the un reached by taking schools near the villages of children that are denied of their rights to basic education, through enhancing the active participation of local communities in managing and controlling educational programs at grassroots level. Thus, it was suggested that in addition to making schools accessible to the needy child, the actual learning environment required certain quality improvements Hence, before the program has to be implemented ,there must be arrangement: Policy and decision makers and implementers should have adequate information about the what and how of the program for its effective implementation.

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Educational Research

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